Working/Functional Title

Associate Vice President, Advancement Solutions &

Position Summary

Michigan State University seeks an experienced and visionary leader with a proven track record in building fundraising growth through operational innovation and technology. The individual will be responsible for driving organizational growth by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and leveraging technological advancements. As the Associate Vice President for Advancement Solutions & Innovation, this leader will prioritize strategic people development, operational productivity, and innovative solutions that position the advancement team as a high-impact, data-driven organization and will support a compelling donor experience.

The Associate Vice President for Advancement Solutions & Innovation at Michigan State University reports to the Vice President of University Advancement. While the Vice President will provide leadership for all aspects of MSU’s advancement programs, the Associate Vice President will serve as the leader and strategic partner responsible for overseeing the internal infrastructure that supports the university’s fundraising efforts, focusing on advancing the technical, operational, and analytical capabilities across all units and regions.

The Associate Vice President provides visionary leadership for University Advancement Services, developing and executing plans to ensure MSU can rely on an increasing and sustainable flow of philanthropic support through efficient data, technology, and operations management.

The Associate Vice President’s major areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Change Management Leadership: Lead change management efforts to integrate new technologies, processes, and innovation initiatives, ensuring seamless adoption by staff, clear communication of changes, and alignment with overall university advancement goals.
• Operational Process Optimization: Lead the identification and implementation of process improvements across advancement operations, streamlining workflows, and removing inefficiencies to enhance the effectiveness of constituent records, gift processing, and data management.
• Technology and Systems Innovation: Drive technological innovation by collaborating with IT to evaluate and implement cutting-edge tools, software, and systems that advance operational efficiency and data utilization in fundraising and prospect management.
• Data Analytics and Predictive Modeling: Oversee the development of advanced data-mining and predictive modeling capabilities to improve prospect research, donor engagement strategies, and philanthropic forecasting, ensuring data-driven decision-making at all levels of the advancement organization.
• Cross-Departmental Innovation and Improvement Projects: Act as an internal consultant to other university departments and advancement units, initiating and leading innovation projects that address critical challenges and align operational practices with university-wide strategic goals.
• Collaboration with IT on Strategic Tech Initiatives: Partner with MSU IT and external vendors to implement forward-looking technologies, including data visualization tools and cloud-based applications, ensuring robust technological infrastructure for future advancement campaigns as well as operational efficiencies across the institution.
• Use of Data for Donor Insights: Design and implement programs that utilize proprietary and commercial data for demographic and psychographic analysis, enhancing constituent records and enabling more effective solicitation and engagement strategies.
• Custom Reporting and Data Products: Conceptualize and lead the development of custom data products, dashboards, and reporting tools that provide real-time insights into donor engagement, fundraising performance, and campaign progress, enabling leadership to make data-informed decisions.
• Automation and AI Integration: Explore opportunities to integrate automation and artificial intelligence (AI) into operational processes, from donor engagement strategies to backend administrative functions, to reduce manual tasks and increase overall efficiency.
• Strategic Vendor and Partnership Management: Oversee relationships with external technology vendors, consultants, and service providers, ensuring that contracts are aligned with the strategic objectives of the advancement office and that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Scalable Data Architecture Development: Design a scalable data architecture that supports future growth, ensuring that the university's advancement data systems are flexible, secure, and capable of handling increasingly complex data sets and reporting requirements.
• Fostering a Culture of Innovation: Promote a culture of innovation within the advancement team by encouraging creative problem-solving, piloting new technologies, and continuously exploring cutting-edge tools to enhance operational and fundraising outcomes.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in any rigorous academic field and a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience as a development leader and manager in a complex, decentralized, comprehensive university environment is required.  An advanced degree is preferred.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to an integrated advancement program; and experience in a complex major research university environment.  Keen understanding of the natural tension that exists when working with a multitude of colleges, departments, and programs with varying priorities is essential.
• Experience working to sustain strong working relationships with staff, donors, faculty, volunteers and academic leadership is imperative.
• A strong ability to develop sincere, productive relationships and to build trust both with internal colleagues and external constituencies is a must.
• Clear and effective written and oral communication and presentation skills, including individual and large groups.  Keen sense of requirements necessary to foster a team-centric culture and environment.

Additional Behaviors and Competencies:

Demonstrates a proactive approach to identifying challenges and implementing creative solutions, particularly in using data and technology to drive operational efficiencies.

Possesses a deep understanding of current and emerging technologies that impact advancement services, and has the ability to assess and implement tools that improve operational and strategic functions.

Skilled at leading change initiatives within complex environments, including the ability to inspire buy-in, manage resistance, and guide teams through transitions, such as technological upgrades and CRM migrations.

Strong analytical mindset, utilizing data and predictive models to inform decisions, drive performance, and create strategies that align with long-term goals and institutional objectives.

Proven ability to foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, particularly in working across departments, with IT teams, and external vendors to ensure seamless integration and alignment with advancement goals.

Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenges, able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment while maintaining focus on long-term objectives and continuous improvement.

Ability to maintain a forward-thinking approach, anticipating future trends and technologies in higher education advancement to position the organization at the forefront of the field.

Effectively manages large-scale, multi-year projects, particularly those related to technology, infrastructure, and process improvements, ensuring successful execution within established timelines and budgets.

Instills a mindset of continuous improvement in teams, encouraging experimentation, learning from failure, and seeking out new ways to enhance both individual and organizational performance.

Demonstrates strong emotional intelligence, fostering a supportive work environment and understanding the emotional dynamics at play during periods of change, which helps build trust within teams.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Bachelors

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in any rigorous academic field and a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience as a development leader and manager in a complex, decentralized, comprehensive university environment is required.  An advanced degree is preferred.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to an integrated advancement program; and experience in a complex major research university environment.  Keen understanding of the natural tension that exists when working with a multitude of colleges, departments, and programs with varying priorities is essential.
• Experience working to sustain strong working relationships with staff, donors, faculty, volunteers and academic leadership is imperative.
• A strong ability to develop sincere, productive relationships and to build trust both with internal colleagues and external constituencies is a must.
• Clear and effective written and oral communication and presentation skills, including individual and large groups.  Keen sense of requirements necessary to foster a team-centric culture and environment

Desired Qualifications

Required Application Materials

Resume

Cover letter

Special Instructions

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Vivianne Robinson at robins85@msu.edu.

All candidates must submit an application and resume through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system, the URL for this website is Advancement.msu.edu.  Please indicate the position number XXXX when submitting your application.

Screening of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.

Review of Applications Begins On

10/22/2024

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://advancement.msu.edu/

Department Statement

Our Commitment

University Advancement looks to the future with optimism and a growth mindset. Ensuring each member has the grace and space to prosper and grow, we pledge to model honesty, trust, transparency, accountability, respect, and integrity in all we do. We offer the same respect to our team members as we do our external partners.

Principled Philanthropy

We will fulfill our mission of advancing MSU in a manner that exemplifies MSU’s mission and values, fulfills our obligation to transparency and accountability, and upholds the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence. In partnership with our alumni and donors, we invest in the MSU community with integrity and an ethical code of conduct, and in ways that fulfill our promise to create opportunity for all in higher education.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.